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France 24
France 24
World
Sharon GAFFNEY

Sultan al-Jaber under fire: COP28 president accused of conflict of interest

MIDDLE EAST MATTERS © FRANCE 24

He's claiming that his remarks were "misinterpreted". The Emirati oil executive leading the COP28 climate conference in Dubai has come out fighting after widespread criticism of his suggestion that there was "no science" indicating that a phase-out of fossil fuels was needed to contain global warming. A controversial choice as president, Sultan al-Jaber argues he's "uniquely placed" to persuade the industry to buy into a green energy future. We take a closer look.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is warning that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening by the hour as Israel widens its offensive into southern Gaza. Doctors at the largest hospital there say it's being overwhelmed with the number of dead and wounded, and may soon be forced to stop functioning. Thousands of displaced Palestinians are seeking shelter, as Israel orders residents to move from Khan Younis to Rafah, but say they have simply nowhere to go.

"Time is running out", say the families of the 137 hostages still being held captive in Gaza. They're demanding regular meetings with the Israeli war cabinet and assurances that the release of their loved ones remains a priority as Israel steps up its ground offensive. This comes as some of the hostages released during the seven-day truce with Hamas have been outlining the abuse they suffered in captivity.

Finally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made bold promises in the aftermath of the February earthquake that killed more than 50,000 people in Turkey and Syria, flattened entire towns and left millions homeless. The government pledged to build more than 300,000 homes within a year. But ten months on, less than a quarter of them have been constructed. In some of the worst-hit villages, anger is mounting as olive farmers are being forced to leave their lands, which have been re-zoned for housing. Our correspondents report.

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